Pipe sealing device



Fied Jan; 1v', 1955 n.xn,

` INVENTOR. Algernon S. Badger.,

rmi SEALING DEvrCE Algernon S. Badger, Houston, Tex., assigner, by mesne assignments, to Iersey Production Research Company Application January 17, 1955, Serial No. 482,235 1 Claim. (Cl. 16e-136) The present invention is directed to a device for sealing pipe joints. More particularly, the invention is directed to apparatus for sealing tubing joints employed in oil well operations. In its more specic aspects, the invention is concerned with apparatus for introducing thread sealing compound into pipe joints.

The present invention may be briey described as involving apparatus for injecting thread sealing compound into threads of a pipe joint which comprises an elongated mandrel having a passageway communicating with a port on the exterior surface of the mandrel by a lateral passageway. The mandrel is adapted to be .connected by a conduit to a high pressure source of thread sealing compound and arranged within the pipe. Carried by or arranged on the exterior surface of the mandrel are spaced apart opposing packers to enclose the port. Latching means are carried by the mandrel which are adapted to engage with the inner surface of the pipe joint and position the mandrel for injection of thread sealing compound into the threads of the pipe joint. Injection of the thread sealing compound through the ports maintains the packers expanded into sealing engagement with the pipe.

The present invention will be further illustrated by reference to the drawing in which'the single figure is a sectional elevational view of the preferred embodiment.

Referring now to the drawing, a section of pipe or tubing 11 is threadably connected into a tubing joint 12 which, in turn, is threadably connected to a second section 13 of tubing or pipe similar to section 11. The sections 11 and 13 are interconnected by the tubing joint 12 and are adapted to be lowered into a cased well.

Arranged in the sections 11 and 13 and specifically within the tubing joint 12 is a tubular mandrel 14 which is threadably connected to an extra heavy pipe 15 which, in turn, is connected to a source of thread sealing cornpound, not shown.

The mandrel 14 has a central passageway 16 connected to lateral passageways 17 which terminate on the exterior surface of the mandrel 14 in ports 18.

Arranged or carried on the exterior surface of the mandrel 14 by ears 19 are a plurality of dogs 20 which are pivotally attached to the ears 19 by pivot pins 21. The dogs 20 are biased outwardly from the mandrel 14 by spring members 22 which are attached to the mandrel 14 by attaching means 23.

Arranged on iirst and second ends of the mandrel 14 are opposing cup packers 24 and 25 which are held on the mandrel 14, respectively, on external shoulders 26 and 27 by means of annular members 28 and 29 which, in turn, are held on the mandrel 14 against the packers 24 -and 25 by threaded nuts 32 and 33. The packers 24 and 25 may be replaced as required by removing the nuts 32 and 33 and plates 2S and 29.

The device of the present invention operates as follows:

When the pipe sections 11 and 13 are interconnected by a tubing joint, such as 12, a tight seal may be provided by inserting the mandrel 14 and its attendant parts into the pipe sections, as shown, and positioned between the States Patent O y 2,850,004 Patented 0ct'."14, 1958 ice n t sections 11 and 13 by means of the latching d ogs 20 which expand out in the recess or space S between the ends of the pipe sections 11 and 13, as shown in thedrawing. After the tool has been inserted and positioned in the tubing joint 12, as shown in the drawing, the thread sealing compound is injected into the mandrel 14 through the passageway P of the pipe 15 into the passageway`16 and out through lateral passageway 17 and port 18 into the space S. This causes the packers 24 and 25 to-#be maintained expanded in sealing relationship' with the `sections 11 and 13 and causes the thread sealing'compound to be forced into the crevices between the mating threads 30 and 31 of the pipe sections 11 and 13 and tubing joint 12. Pressure from a pump connected to the reservoir of sealing compound may then be applied up to about 5 minutes allowing the tubing joint, such as 12, to be sealed by imposing pressures thereon in excess of that ordinarily allowable on a string of tubing.

In apparatus of the nature described, the device may be connected to a pipe, such as 15, of about 35 feet in length and inserted into the section of pipe, such as 11, immediately after its makeup with the section 13 and tubing joint 12. After the pipe has been made up with each joint being threaded and sealed, as has been described, the tubing string may be lowered into the well.

Pressures as high as 10,000 pounds per square inch may be imposed on each of the tubing joints, such as 12, in a string of tubing which may have a length depending on the depth of the well. For example, wells in the gulf coast area Vof 15,000 or more feet are not uncommon. Thus the tubing string may be sealed in accordance with the present invention to prevent leaks from the numerous tubing joints required in such .a tubing string.

The present invention is, therefore, of great utility in that relatively larger quantities of sealing compound may be introduced into tubing joints than has been possible heretofore. The invention is useful in reducing or eliminating tubing joint leakage which is not uncommon in oil producing operations.

The thread sealing compound employed in the practice of the present invention may be any commercial thread sealing compound which is being used in oil eld operations. As an example, thread sealing compounds as follows may be employed:

A thread sealing compound may be used which may be composed of 10% of equal amounts of 100 to 140 mesh silica, 140 to 200 mesh silica, and 200 plus mesh silica and of a lubricating oil base or grease. Further thread sealing materials may suitably be used, such as compounds of nely divided particles dispersed in a lubricating base or grease. Descriptions of suitable lubricating bases are found in U. S. Patents 2,205,990, Nelson et al.; 2,065,248, Smith; and in Abstract 165,377, entitled Thread Lubricant, 662 O. G. 4, page 1188.

The nature and objects of the present invention having been completely described and illustrated, what I wish to claim as new and useful and to secure by Letters Patent is:

Apparatus for injecting thread sealing compound into threads of well pipe joints, the injection of the thread sealing compound being made prior to lowering the joined and sealed pipe into the well which comprises an elongated mandrel arranged in said pipe and forming an annulus therebetween, said mandrel being formed'to provide an open upper end, a closed lower end, a port intermediate the length thereof and a passageway fluidly communieating said open upper end and said port, an extra heavy conduit connected to the open upper end of said mandrel and in lluid communication with said passageway, said conduit being adapted to be connected to a high pressure source of thread sealing compound, a iirst cup packer arranged on said mandrel above said port engaging the in- 3 4 terim. of Said pipe for Sealing 0E upwardly directed 110W References Cited in the le of this patent through said annulus, a second cup packer arranged on UNITED STATES PATENTS said mandrel below said port engaging the interior of said pipe for sealing o downwardly directed 110W 1 g os leb. through said annulus, and downwardly and Ou'WafdlY 5 1838546 Hel tusd- Dpr' 29 1931 extending latching dogs carried by said mandrel adapted 2199020 B a S ta t-T Aec' 30I 1940 to engage with the inner surface of the rSt pipe OD 2445645 Starrl e a' j 11x20 1948 encountered as said apparatus is moved downwardly 2571934 @tip etnsl n gg; 16I 1951 through said pipe to position said mandrel for injection 2617134 Barstol a "Nov' 11 1952 of thread sealing compound info the threads 0f Said first l0 2,715,943 True u Aug` 23, 1955 pipe joint whereby thread sealing COI-DPOUHd injected 2716'456 Bmwr; Aug30, 1955 through Said extra heavy conduit, said passageway, and m I said port acts directly upon said pipe joint to seal said FOREIGN PATENTS pipe joint and upon said packers to maintain said packers 311,319 Great Britain July 7, 1930 expanded into sealing engagement with said pipe. l5 591,149 Germany Jan. 17, 1934 

